The Verdict Is In: Alexander Ovechkin Suspended 2 Games By NHL

So the verdict is in for Capitals Forward(LW) and Captain, Alexander Ovechkin and it says the Alexander Ovechkin has been suspended for 2 games.

Wait a minute, he gets suspended 2 games for this and guys like Matt Cooke don’t get anything? I think I’m not alone in this when I say that is not right! Matt Cooke’s hit was a head shot, which makes it that much worse. It was a dirty hit and it looked like he was really intent on hurting Marc Savard.

Comparing those two hits, Matt Cooke was much more deserving of a suspension than Alexander Ovechkin.

This hit took place last night in a game vs. the Chicago Blackhawks when Brian Campbell and Alexander Ovechkin were both chasing the puck. Ovechkin drove Campbell into the boards where Campbell suffered an awkward hit against the boards which would take him out of the game. Ovechkin was sent to the box for 5 minutes until they decided to eject Alexander Ovechkin from the hockey game.

Brian Campbell has reportedly suffered a broken collarbone and ribs from this hit. This will likely put him out for the rest of the regular season and possibly all of the Chicago Blackhawks postseason run. This will likely hurt Chicago’s chances of making the Stanley Cup final.

Ovechkin was considered a repeat offender when they took this hit into consideration. He had been suspended earlier this season in late November. That definitely had some influence on the uncalled for suspension given to Alexander Ovechkin.

The bright side of this suspension is that it will not have a great impact on the Washington Capitals. The Capitals have already clinched the Southeast division. They are 6-2 without Alexander Ovechkin so the chances of them winning these 2 games are not bad either. Especially with the two opponents being Florida and Carolina. The Capitals are currently 1st in the NHL and in the President’s trophy race. If Washington drops these two games it opens up the chances for San Jose to come in and take over once again.

More thoughts on suspension and hit

Vice President and GM George McPhee:

“We have no problem with the way Alex tried to finish his check.”

“Unfortunately, an injury resulted. We are disappointed with the suspension but do not want to comment further.”

Washington Capitals Coach Bruce Boudreau:

“Alex pushed [Campbell]. He pushed him.”

“If he doesn’t fall awkwardly into the boards, a) Is it a penalty? b) Are we having this discussion? … Alex is so much stronger than everyone else. So we’re penalizing him for being strong.”

“I was so upset for him. I told [McPhee], ‘I can’t tell him.’ I feel so bad for the guy. All he wants to do is play hockey and play the game hard.”

Alexander Ovechkin had more to tell the media:

“It was not a hard hit.”

“I just pushed him. It’s just a moment in the game. I don’t think it has to be five minutes or something like that. I just felt bad. That’s it.”

“I respect everybody. We respect everybody here in the locker room and outside, but over there (on the ice) we play for our team. We make some hard hits and sometimes you get hurt. That’s a hockey game.”

“I don’t hit him hard. I just pushed him, but he fell bad.”

“You can see every shift it happens, little pushes, little battles.”

Washington right wing Mike Knuble:

“He has the reputation that he plays hard.”

“But things seem to be happening around him. You would like to see him being more careful because, No. 1, you don’t want to see him hurt himself and, No. 1, so he doesn’t miss games.”

Alexander Ovechkin is eligible to return this Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. What will his play be like then? We’ll have to wait and see.